Hyundai Sonata N Line 2023 Review
The Hyundai Sonata N Line has come in for a major update, bringing more smarts and a sexier look to the sporty mid-size sedanOnly two years after the eighth-generation Hyundai Sonata touched down in Australia, the sporty mid-size family sedan has undergone its first major update. A fresh exterior makes it almost unrecognisable compared to its predecessor, and the upgraded model comes loaded with fresh tech, including connected services for the first time. The Sonata has been a well-known nameplate for more than 30 years, rivalling the likes of the top-selling Toyota Camry. Now featuring the South Korean brand’s latest ‘Sensuous Sportiness’ design language, prices are up, but this sexy sedan does a convincing job of justifying its higher pricing.
How much does the Hyundai Sonata N Line cost?
A well-established nameplate in Australia’s automotive landscape, the Hyundai Sonata mid-size family sedan first landed Down Under in 1989 as a South Korean rival for the (then) locally-built Toyota Camry, Mitsubishi Magna (and later 380), Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon, as well as a slew of fellow imports.
Today, its more upmarket, single-model approach perhaps makes the 2023 (Model Year 2024) Hyundai Sonata a more suitable challenger to the sporty, but slightly less powerful, Skoda Octavia RS (priced from $51,890 plus on-road costs), although high-series variants of the Camry and Mazda6 remain natural rivals.
That’s because the Hyundai Sonata, now here with its first major update in eighth-generation form, is priced at $55,500 plus on-road costs.
Still available in just one highly-equipped N Line grade, the updated Sonata commands a $3500 premium over the model it replaces, although that price hike seems like a relative bargain when you consider how much has changed.
It isn’t Hyundai’s best-selling model – the Tucson mid-size SUV and i30 small car are locked in battle for top billing – but the Sonata has built a firm position in the (albeit dwindling) mid-size passenger car segment, strengthened by its use as a general duties chariot for NSW Police in recent years.
What equipment comes with the Hyundai Sonata N Line?
As mentioned, there’s no shortage of equipment in the 2023 Hyundai Sonata N Line, which debuts technology not yet seen in the South Korean brand’s medium sedan.
Outside, it looks almost unrecognisable compared to the outgoing model. A redesigned front-end now features a full-width LED light bar dubbed ‘seamless horizon light’ (as seen on the new Hyundai Kona SUV), with the main headlights wedged lower in an entirely new front bar, which sits closer to the ground, making the Sonata appear lower.
There are more gloss black and silver exterior trim accents, redesigned 19-inch alloy wheels and a restyled rear-end, which brings a new H-style lighting signature and refreshed bumper, revised boot lid garnish, as well as reshaped quad exhaust tips.
A revised colour palette means more colours are now available, including a new Ultimate Red Metallic hero colour, while Biophilic Ink Mica and Aero Silver Matte (extra $1000) are also new. Abyss Black Mica is back, while Serenity White Mica continues to be the only no-cost option. All colours except matte silver and white cost an additional $595.
Inside the refreshed cabin the horizontal theme continues, with a more minimalist layout that includes a new three-spoke steering wheel, curved panoramic display and a gear selector stalk mounted to the steering column, freeing up space around the centre console.
The seats are a mix of suede and Nappa leather, while the dash, door cards and centre arm rest up front are leather-appointed.
The Sonata is covered by Hyundai’s five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, while service intervals remain at 12 months or 10,000km, costing $350 each for the first five years.
How safe is the Hyundai Sonata N Line?
The eighth-generation Hyundai Sonata has not been tested by the independent ANCAP safety authority, and the Australian arm of the South Korean car-maker has no immediate plans to ensure it’s assessed.
That doesn’t mean there’s any doubt over its safety credentials, and the 2023 Hyundai Sonata N Line continues to offer a high level of equipment in this department.
Among the driver assistance aids is autonomous emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control, rear occupant alert, lane keep assist, forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring, driver attention warning, high beam assist and a 360-degree camera.
The updated sedan also brings forward collision avoidance assist (FCA 1.5) that now recognises motorcycles (as well as cars, pedestrians and cyclists, as before), along with intelligent speed limit assist and rear cross traffic alert with AEB.
What technology does the Hyundai Sonata N Line feature?
The 2023 Hyundai Sonata N Line is without a doubt the smartest Sonata yet.
Hyundai’s Bluelink connected car services appear for the first time in the Sonata, bringing over-the-air updates, along with app-based features including remote vehicle check, find my car, calendar sync, remote services (lock/unlock or start the vehicle, and pre-heat or cool it before getting in), and more.
Bluelink is free for the first five years, transferrable to new owners if you sell the car.
A pair of 12.3-inch digital screens arrive to replace the previous Sonata’s smaller touch-screen, curved and spanning two-thirds of the dash.
Below the main display, the Sonata is one of the first Hyundai/Kia models in Oz to feature a touch-screen climate control panel, which might sound fiddly but is executed really well and is super-easy to use.
Digital and AM/FM radio, navigation, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and wireless phone charging all come standard, along with an impressive 12-speaker Bose premium sound system.
The driver gets 12-way electric-adjust seats with memory, while both front pews have heating and ventilation. The steering wheel is heated, too.
There’s also a larger 10-inch colour head-up display, while 64-colour ambient interior mood lighting spans the dashboard and door trims.
Another new bit of kit is the addition of tyre pressure monitoring and Active Sound Design (ASD), a feature that enhances engine noise by sending augmented notes through the car’s internal speakers as you’re driving, with four optional sound levels available. You can also turn it off completely.
A powered boot lid also appears for the first time.
What powers the Hyundai Sonata N Line?
Hyundai hasn’t made any huge mechanical changes to the 2023 Hyundai Sonata N Line – aside from some minor tweaks we’ll cover soon – so a turbo-petrol engine continues as the sole powertrain.
This is a 2.5-litre T-GDi four-cylinder turbocharged petrol unit that drives the front wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
The engine delivers a strong 213kW of power at 5800rpm and 422Nm of torque from 1650-4000rpm, making it one of the most powerful options in the mid-size sedan range under $60K.
Immediate rivals such as the petrol-powered Toyota Camry (152kW/243Nm) and Mazda6 (173kW/420Nm) each use a 2.5-litre four-cylinder, but neither can match the Sonata on paper.
The Skoda Octavia RS is closer on power, thanks to a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-pot petrol engine, but its 180kW of power and 370Nm of torque is still no match for the Hyundai.
How fuel efficient is the Hyundai Sonata N Line?
Improved aerodynamics help compensate for extra weight onboard the 2023 Hyundai Sonata N Line, which is a little more frugal on the highway and less so in urban conditions – which makes for an unchanged 8.1L/100km combined-cycle economy claim.
Now tipping the scales at 1675kg – up 39kg compared to its predecessor – the new Sonata’s weight increase is due to mechanical revisions we’ll get to in a moment.
During our short time with the Sonata N Line at the local launch in Sydney, we averaged an impressive 7.7L/100km after a mix of city, highway and country road kilometres.
What is the Hyundai Sonata N Line like to drive?
Along with the addition of clever tech and a snazzy new look, the updated 2023 Hyundai Sonata N Line was also taken back to the workshop for some underbody refinements.
A host of chassis tweaks include a strengthened front subframe with revised bushes, strengthened body structure for improved crash safety, reinforced strut towers, shorter rear bump stops, a freshly designed rear trailing arm to “better absorb impacts”, and improved sealing around the windscreen – all in a bid to improve ride quality and reduce NVH (noise, vibration and harshness).
On the move, the Sonata feels sporty and refined. Great levels of body control give you confidence when cornering, rewarding you with fantastic balance and poise, along with sharp steering feel.
Even despite its firm ride, the Sonata is able to soak up most road imperfections with ease, making for calm and comfortable motoring.
Unlike most of its mid-size sedan rivals, it’s also got a darker side, where sportier drive modes deliver a thrummy (partially augmented) tune, while a more engaging drive is thanks in part to N power shift, activated by heavy throttle input and there to help maximise acceleration during upshifts.
Those 19-inch alloys wrapped in Continental rubber tend to produce a fair bit of tyre roar in the cabin on rougher roads, however the cabin is hushed on smooth tarmac.
All told, it takes a fair bit of encouragement (and plenty of fast corners) before its front-wheel drive set-up slows it down by scrambling for grip. And for regular duties, it’s a seamless and easy sedan to drive.
Elsewhere, as we’ve noticed in other fresh Hyundai metal like the Kona small SUV, the speed sign recognition warnings can be annoying, alerting you with bings and bongs if you go so much as 1km/h over the posted speed limit.
What is the Hyundai Sonata N Line like inside?
The cabin of the 2023 Hyundai Sonata N Line is a big departure from its predecessor, which was already a clever, refined and useful space.
It’s even better now, thanks to a layout that delivers more storage space and puts everything within easy reach of the driver, along with the use of supple materials throughout.
Up front, the sporty bucket seats offer just the right amount of side bolstering to hold you in place, while plenty of soft padding makes it easy to spend lots of time behind the wheel without getting a sore bum.
The second row remains spacious enough for two adults to travel in comfort, offering loads of legroom and decent headroom, as long as you’re not super-tall.
Rear-seat amenities include a centre arm rest, a pair of USB-C ports, bottle storage in each door pocket and a sun blind for the back window as well as manual sun blinds on each side window.
Outboard ISOFIX child seat anchorage points are also provided.
Boot space has reduced from 510 litres to 480L with the mid-life update, while a space-saver spare tyre is tucked under the boot floor.
Should I buy a Hyundai Sonata N Line?
A traditional family-sized sedan like the 2023 Hyundai Sonata N Line might not be at the top of the list for most Aussie car buyers, but there are plenty of reasons it should be.
With a spacious and luxurious cabin, the updated Sonata delivers a polished ride, great dynamics and a fresh exterior that brings it firmly into the future.
Now with more smarts than before and only slightly higher pricing given the extent of the upgrades, the latest Sonata N Line is well worth a test drive.
2023 Hyundai Sonata N Line at a glance:
Price: $55,500 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 213kW/422Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 8.1L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 189g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested
- Refreshed cabin feels upmarket with impressive materials and a great layout
- Carryover 2.5-litre engine and great dynamics make for a fun and engaging drive
- Plenty of new equipment to justify its $3500 price increase over predecessor
- Safety aids such as intelligent speed warning can be annoying
- Tyre noise can be overbearing on anything other than smooth tarmac
- Only no-cost paint option is boring white
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